Psyllium
Improves Blood Sugar Control
Healthnotes Newswire (April 13, 2006)—Taking 10 grams of
psyllium each day may help improve blood sugar control and improve
blood lipid levels in people with type 2 diabetes, reports the
Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2005;102:202–7).
Diabetes is
a disorder of blood sugar regulation that affects almost 7% of
the US population. People with type 2 diabetes are unable to respond
appropriately to insulin—the hormone secreted by the pancreas
that helps cells utilize glucose, or blood sugar. Blood sugar
levels that are elevated for extended periods can damage the heart,
blood vessels, kidneys, and eyes. Fortunately, lifestyle modifications
that include regular physical exercise and eating a nutritious
diet may help manage the disease.
Psyllium seeds are high in fiber and mucilage—properties
that make it useful for treating constipation. A native plant
of Iran, psyllium has also been used historically for its antidiabetic
effects. Previous studies have shown that psyllium can lower blood
sugar levels, as well as levels of total and LDL cholesterol in
men with type 2 diabetes.
The new trial evaluated the effects of psyllium on blood lipids
and indexes of blood sugar control in 36 diabetic men and women
between the ages of 35 and 70. During the eight-week study, the
people received either 5.1 grams of psyllium two times per day
or placebo.
Compared with the placebo group, those in the psyllium group had
significantly lower levels of blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c,
significantly higher HDL levels, and a significantly lower ratio
of LDL to HDL cholesterol, suggesting a heart-protective effect
of psyllium. Levels of total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides,
and insulin were not significantly different between the groups.
It’s interesting to note that psyllium decreased stomach
upset associated with the antidiabetic drug metformin (Glucophage).
These results suggest that supplementing with psyllium may be
a safe and easy way to help improve blood sugar control while
potentially lowering the risk of heart disease in type 2 diabetics.
